Nesquehoning is gearing up for a full day of celebration to ring in the 250th anniversary of the country, as well as the 202nd anniversary of the borough next month.

The borough historical society and recreation commission has been busy planning a festival that aims to bring together the community, as well as pay homage to the history that made the borough what it is today.

The daylong event will be held on June 13; however, a free outdoor concert kicks off the weekend at 7 p.m. on June 12 in the parking lot next to the recreation center on West Railroad Street. The Cressona Band will provide an evening of entertainment. Bring your own lawn chairs.

“Nesquehoning is going to shine on June 13,” said Lois Kuba, one of the organizers of the day’s activities, adding that the day will be filled with fun for the whole family. “(It’s) a time to meet new friends and reminisce with old friends.”

A parade kicks off the day at 10 a.m., with a festival taking place on the west end of the borough from noon to 9 p.m. It concludes with a fireworks display at dusk.

During the event, there will be several performers, including Angela Nardini, The Villagers and Cross Tie Walker Band, as well as free contests such as a coal shoveling contest hosted by Tom and Paul Kattner, and an arm wrestling contest judged by Nesquehoning native Gene Snisky.

In addition, there will be face painting, a photo booth, goodie bags for the first 202 children, local organizations setting up stands, food trucks, vendors and more.

A special moment, one that won’t happen again, occurs the evening of June 13, when Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 pulls into the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station from a trip down from Pittston. The trip will coincide with Reading & Northern’s 2102 excursion that leaves from the borough that morning.

It will remain in Nesquehoning and pull a return trip to Pittston and beyond June 14.

“Our town is going to see crowds of people visiting that it hasn’t seen in many, many years, if ever,” Kuba said, adding that people should also show off their patriotic pride by decorating their homes.

She thanked the Panther Valley Blueprint Community, volunteers and Macaluso’s Restaurant for their road cleanup efforts recently.

“Let’s all try to make sure our town looks like it should (and) let’s make our forefathers proud,” she said.

For vendors or organizations wishing to be part of the day’s events, there is still time to register to be part of the parade or set up a stand at the festival. Volunteers for the event are also needed.

For more information on this opportunities, contact Kuba or any historical society or borough recreation commission member.